Flames warm up to deal

New Flames Mike Leclerc (left) and Brian Boucher(right) from the Coyotes hold up their new Flames jerseys after arriving here in Calgary. The Flames traded for the two Coyotes late Wednesday night (Jack Cusano, Calgary Sun)

STEVE MACFARLANE -- Calgary Sun

The shootout loss combined with news two players were being shipped out made for some glassy eyes in the Calgary Flames dressing room last night.

Losing Steve Reinprecht and Philippe Sauve in a four-player deal with the Phoenix Coyotes for Mike Leclerc and Brian Boucher was a shock to more than just the players involved.

"As a group, initial reaction is it's very hard to see our friends go," said Flames captain Jarome Iginla after hearing the news. "That's the first reaction. It's always a shock. You never expect these things.

"We wish them well."

Rhett Warrener also says it's hard to say goodbye.

"You've got friends and teammates that have been around and you've been through battles with and all of a sudden they're gone and two new guys move in. We expect those guys to fit in but it's always tough to see your friends leave."

Once the shock wears off a little, it's easier to see what the team is getting in return.

Iginla has a history against Leclerc, a power forward with 326 NHL games under his belt.

"I've played against him since junior," said Iginla. "We're around the same age. I've watched him. He's a good power forward, he's got good hands around the net and scores his share of goals. He can get really hot, too, which is a good thing."

Andrew Ference has his own rating system.

"He's not an easy guy to play against," said the Flames rearguard.

"That's the No. 1 thing I think that you look at when you judge a player as a defenceman, whether he's tough or easy to play against. He falls into the right category."

Daymond Langkow can vouch for Boucher, who will tend the twine on the same team as the Flames centre for the fourth time, going back to their days in the WHL with Tri-City.

"He's a real funny guy so he'll fit in real good here," said Langkow. "He's a real easy going guy and he's a real comedian."

Another former teammate, Tony Amonte, says Boucher will be a good addition.

"He's been in the No. 1 spot before so he knows the pressure, he knows how to play," said Amonte.